Batman muses over an alien as his new Robin.
Almost dethroning Jarro the Star Wonder as Batman's only non-human sidekick, a new alien mystery drives Green Lantern Guy Gardner to nominate the most strange Robin yet in the latest edition of Batman: The Brave and the Bold #15. Part of Joshua Hale Fialkov and Lisandro Estherren's three-part alien narrative "The Invader," this event sees the Emerald Knight and Dark Knight teaming together to probe the flying saucer crash landing on Earth. The riddle gets more complex when Green Lantern's ring—which has a database of all known aliens—failed to match the first of its kind new arrival.
The Alien and Batman's Relationship
Clear bonds develop as Batman and the alien negotiate radiation poisoning and misunderstandings. Every time Batman approaches the alien, he suffers mental attacks and radiation burns; but, he quickly discovers the alien is also suffering from radiation poisoning from Earth, so inadvertently hurting him in return. This drives Batman to give Guy Gardner instructions to surround the alien with a force field shielding it from ambient radiation from Earth. Batman can interact and reassure the alien that he and Guy will assist in repairing its ship so it may return home once it is no more under danger. The alien reaches toward Batman in a universal sign of thanks.
Joking suggestion from Guy Gardner
Guy's thanks for this inspire him to jokingly remark, "Looks like you have a little friend, Batman. Put him in short shorts and a mask; together you can solve crimes. Guy is told to close by The Dark Knight, but his respect of the alien is obvious in the next panels. Batman's inner dialogue reveals that the alien is from a species that keeps to itself, exploring the galaxy and charting their own course in life, "Letting their curiosity rule their life." It's good. Batman clearly is smitten with the little alien.
Batman's Evolution Including Non-Human Sidekicks
Though some would laugh at Batman giving this unidentified alien a Robin, Bruce had not been without using non-humans in his quest of justice. Bruce's love transcends the human race, as Jarro, the psychic starfish Batman grew in a jar from a sample of Starro, showed. Declaring, "... my favorite Robin ever," Batman even thought of Jarro as his own son. Not exactly, but I mean it My beloved ever-present. Therefore, it wouldn't have been totally out of the reach of possibility for Batman to give Green Lantern's recommendation to make the alien in The Invader his new Robin some serious thought.
Batman's Character and The Alien's Possibilities
Although Dick Grayson was by far the last to adopt the Robin name and pixie boots, he might have been the first Boy Wonder to fight alongside Batman. Still, Batman is not unusual in his working with non-human allies. He has shown especially affection for these unusual partners, underscoring his openness to accept unusual ideas and his respect of people who differ. Given the natural curiosity and exploration drive of the alien, Batman has a great chance that this unusual combination will bring fresh challenges and adventures.
